Film magazine



Sept. 11, 1945. F, H OWENS 2,384,637

FLIM MAGAZINE original Filed May 19, 1944 2 sheets-sheet 2 INVENTOR., ,Freeman ,H Owens Patented Sept. 1l, 1945 FILM MAGAZINE Freeman Il. Owens, New York, N. Y.

Original application May 19. 1944, Serial No.

Divided and this application May 19, 1944, Serial No. 538,345

y 17 claims. (ci. 242-11) This invention relates to a film magazine for a film projecting machine.

The prime object of the invention relates to the provision of a novel film magazine especially designed for use in a film projecting machine as disclosed in my copending application Serial No; 536,344, filed May 19, 1944, of which the present is a divisional application, and particularly in a film drive and rewinding mechanismas disclosed in my copending application Serial No. 536,346, filed May 19, 1944.

In such a film projecting machine a selected lm magazine is moved into and out of projection position in an optical projection system. When moved into projection position, the film in the magazine is machine fed from the supply spool and is wound up on the takeup spool, and in the course of being moved out of projection position, the film in the magazine is rewound on the supply spool. For these purposes the projection machine is provided with a lm driving mechanism adapted to be continuously operated and comprising simply a film feeding or driving drum and a driving plate. For cooperation with this film driving mechanism, the film magazine is constructed so that its supply and takeup reels are provided l with drive elements selectively connectable to the driving plate for winding the film during a projection run (the magazine in projection position), and for rewinding the film after .a projection run (during the movement of the magazine out of projection position), and the magazine-is also made to embody a device engageable with and disengageable from rthe film feeding drum of the machine to feed the lm during a projection run and to free the lm for rewinding after a projection run.

The prime desideratum of the present invention centers about the provision of a novel lm magazine of this character constructed and adapted for this purpose. j A

To the accomplishment of this prime object and such other objects as may hereinafter appear, my present invention relates to the lm magazine unit as sought to be defined in the appended claims and as described in the following specification taken together with the accompanyingdrawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a top velevational view of the film magazine;

Fig. 2 is a right side elevational view thereof;

Fig. 3 is a view thereof taken in medial crosssection in the plane of the line 3 3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a view thereof taken' in cross-section in the planes of the broken line 4-4 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a view thereof taken in cross-section in the planes of the broken line 5--5 of Fig. 1; Fig. 6 is a rear side elevational view thereof;

Fig. '7 is a view thereof taken in cross-section in the planes of the broken line 1-1 of Fig- 1;

Fig. 8 is a view thereof taken in cross-section in the plane of the line 8-8 of Fig. 4; and

Fig. 9 is a view of a detail taken in cross-section in the plane of the line 9-9 of Fig. 1.

Referring now more in detail to the drawings,

the lm magazine generally designated as M com-` prises a casing conveniently made in two mating sections I0 and I2 secured together in any approved way as by means of the thumb screw I3,

the said film magazine being given any desired p configuration and being preferably made sector shaped as best shown in Figs. 1 and 8 of the drawings, so that the same may t into a sector` portion of a rotatable carrier, it being intended that a plurality of such magazines M be mounted on said carrier and arranged circumferentially about the carrier in side by side abutting relation. When the casing parts Ill and I2 are assembled, the rear wall I4 thereof has dened centrally therein an orific or openingl I6 for admitting a beam of projected light therethrough to be incident upon and transmitted through a central guided portion a of the film f in the magazine (see particularly Figs. 6 and 8) The magazine M is fully open at itsfront wall I8 which is arcuately formed thus providing the arcuate opening 2B. vThe opening 20 is adapted to receive a lm driving drum (not shown) with the periphery of which the guided section aof the lm f is adapted to engage and disengage.

When this guided portion of the film is engaged with the driving drum, the film is fed or driven in the direction shown by the arrows in Figs. 1 and 8; and when it is disengaged from the driving drum, the film is free to be moved in the magazine in the opposite direction. The magazine casing sectionsjhouse a film reel 22 having a supply (and rewinding) spool 23 and a takeup (or winding) spool 25, the spool 23 being mounted onand rotatable by the spool spindle 24, and the spool 25 being mounted on and rotated by a spool spindle 26. These spool spindles 24 and 26 are suitably'journaled in the casing section I6, and more particularly in the telescoping flanged sleeve sets 28 and 30 respectively fitted to the'wall 32 of the magazine casing section I0.

The spool spindles 24 and 26 are each mounted for axial movement in the spools 23 and 25 and in the journaling sleeves 28 and 30.

The spool spindles'24 and 26, therefore, have a plunger action within the spools 23 and 28. The spindles and spools rotate together, however, and to this end the spindle 24 is formed with a hexagonal portion 21 andthe spindle 28 is formed with a square portion 2l, and the bores of the spools 28 and 28 are correspondingly contoured in cross-section. Each of the spindles is tapered or cammed at one end and. provided with a drive element at the other end. 'Thus the spindle 24 is tapered or cammed at one end as at 84 and provided at its other end with a drive element in the form of a drive wheel or disc 38, and the spindled 28 is tapered or cammed at one end as at 31 and provided at its other end with a drive element in the form of a drive wheel or disc 38. The said spindles 24 and 24 are thus movable axially to move their exposed drive wheels 38 and 3l axially outwardly to operative positions and axially in-v wardly to inoperative positions. In the position shown in the drawings, the drive wheel 38 has been moved outwardly to an operative position and the drive wheel 44 inwardly to an inoperative position.

The magazine M is also provided with means for axially moving the film spool spindles and their drive elements. Such means is made to simply comprise a resilient cam plate 44 mounted for reciprocation on the wall 4| of the casing section I2 in the directions indicated by the double arrow 42 shown in Fig. 1, the said cam plate being iixed to and reciprocated by a rod 44 which is movably anchored in said rcasing wall 4| at one end 45 (in a part of the hous g section) and at an intermediate point by rans of the bar 48 fixed to or forming part of th housing section wall 4 I. The cam plate 40 has two oppositely directed wings 55 and 52, each formed with a flat and an inclined face (see particularly Figs. 4 and 5), the cam wing 58 cooperating with the spindle end 34 and the cam wing 52 cooperating with the spindle end 37. f

In the position shown in the drawings the cam wing 52 has engaged the cam end 31 of the spindle 28 and has moved this spindle axially outwardly to the position best shown in Figs. 4 and 7, while the cam wing I) is disengaged from the end 34 of the spindle 24 permitting this spindle to move axially inwardly to the position best shown in Figs. 5 and 7 of the drawings. In this position the cam plate 40 has been moved radially inwardly (Fig. 1). When the cam plate 48 is/ moved radially outwardly by its operating rod 44, then the cam wing 52 disengages the spindle end 31 while the cam wing 5I) engages the spindle end 34 with the result that the spindle 24 and its drive wheel 35 are 'moved axially outwardly while the spindle 26 and its drive wheel 38 are permitted to return axially inwardly to an inoperative position,

The magazine M is further provided with a pair of guide rolls 54 and 56 journalled in the spaced guide plates 58 and 60, the said guide plates being connected together by the spaced webs SI and being medially connected by means of a stud 52 to a circular boss 84 formed at the inner end of the reciprocating rod 44. The stud 62 is movable in the aperture 63 formed in the Wall 4I of the magazine section I2 and is limited in'its movement in opposite directions by the Wall of this aperture. The plates 58 and 80 are secured together at their ends by means of the guide roll pins or spindles 66 and 68 and the pin 66 may be fitted in or anchored to the wall 32 of the casing section I0 whereby the plates and guide l loop spring 'III anchored medially and opposite the stud 82 to the bar 48. This spring is tensioned to vact directly on the'stud 42 and thereby the film guide device and particularly the guide rolls 84 and 54 are urged to the position as shown, for example, in Fig. 1, so that the film may be engaged by the periphery of the film driving or feeding drum above referred to, to be driven thereby. Also by this means the rod 44 and the resilient cam plate 48 are resiliently moved to the position shown in the drawings with the takeup spool drive plate Il in its outward or operative position.

The 111m reel 22 thus comprises a film f adapted during a projection run to be fed from the supply spool 23 and guided by the guide rolls 84 and 84 located at a nlm feeding position in the magazine and adapted to be wound on the takeup spool 28, the 111m moving during said projection run in the arrowed direction shown in Figs. 1 and 8 of the drawings. 'Ihis is the normal position that all the parts of the magazine assume when the magazine is placed or mounted on the carrier of the projection machine. The nlm magazine M is adapted to be removably receivable in the carrier; and f or anchoring the magazine to the carrier the magazine is formed in its side walls 8| and 88 with grooves 58 and 81, these grooves being formed in the magazine casing section I2 and preferably in a plane coincident with or close to the plane of movement of the cam plate 44. These grooves 85 and 51 a're adapted to be received by rods (not shown) extending radially of the carrier, a rod being adapted for receiving abutting grooves of adjacent magazines, whereby a plurality of magazines may be arranged circumferentially of the carrier all'in side by side abutting relation.

The film magazine has three different operative phases. During a projection run the nlm in the magazine is driven or fed by the annular drum of the machine engaging the guided section a of the film f, and at such time the film is wound on the takeup spool by the operative engagement of the f takeup drive wheel 38 with the rotating drive plate of the machine above referred to. After a projection run and during the movement of the film magazine ,out of projection position, it is intended that the film f inthe magazine be rewound on its supply spool 23 by the operative engagement of its drive wheel 84 with the said drive plate. The third operative phase is when the 111m magazine is outof projection position but is stationary instead of moving; and in this last mentioned phase it is intended that the film in the magazine be neither wound nor rewound, this being accomplished when'both of the drive wheels 38 and 34 are in an intermediate or neutralfposition where neither operatively engages the driving plate.

These three operative phases of the magazine rod '44 is pressed radially outwardly as by pushasados? ing its circular end Il against the action of the spring 1l, the cam plate 4i is moved to its other extreme position, the cam wing l2 disengaging the spindle 28 and the cam wing It engaging thel spindle 24. As a result the spindle 2l is moved axially outwardly and the spindle 20 is released so that it is free to move axially inwardly. Now, the supply or rewinding spool drive 36 is in operative position (and the winding drive 2l in inoperative position) and rotation of the drive wheel 38 en'ects the rewinding of the reel. At the same time the nlm guide device has been moved -by means of the connecting stud l2 in wardly of the magazine about the pivot pin It.' thus freeing the guided portion a of the film from the driving drum. In the third operative phase the rod 44 is moved'to a position intermediate of its extreme positions. and in such intermediate position the wings l and l2 of the cam plate 40 are both disengaged from the cam ends of the spindles 24 and 26, thus permitting both drive wheels and 38 to move axially inwardly to neutral or non-engaging positions. 1

The magazine and magazine parts may be suitably formed for desirably encasing the operating elements and suitably supporting the operated elements. The magazine sections I0 and l2 may be made in two mating molded parts. These may be interntted by means of the dowel pins 1I, 1I formed in one of the casing sections. The top wall 4I of the casing section i2 may be recessed to house the cam plate 40 and associated parts and the wall 22 of the casing section I0 may also be recessed to house the drive wheels and 3B, as will be clearfrom viewing Figs. 3 to 5 of the drawings. The spools 23 and 25 are held between the casing sections and in addition to beingy mounted on the journaled spindles, are also rab beted as at 13, 12 for interntting with holes in the wall 4i of the casing section I2.

The use and operation of the nlm magazine of my present invention and the many advantages thereof particularly in its employment with the projection machine referred to` will be fully apparent from the above detailed description thereof. By means of this magazine construction the structure of the nlm projection machine may be considerably simplined. The magazine may be quickly placed in position in the machine and when so placed is ready for operation. The magazine may be wound and rewound in and during the operation of the machine, and need only be removed from the machine for `repair or replace-l y,at an exposed endvwith a drive wheel, the said spindles being movable to move said drive wheels axially outwardly to operative positions and axially inwardly to inoperative positions.

2. The film magazine of claim l in which the drive wheels are friction discs, the supply spool disc having a relatively small diameter and the takeup spool disc a relatively large diameter.

3. The film magazine of claim 1l in which the spindles extend outwardly on opposite sides of the casing and are shaped at their ends opposite the drive wheel ends for operative engagement.

A. A nlm magazine comprising a casing, a film supply spool in said casing having an axially movable spindle provided at an exposed end with la moving the supply spool spindle axially outwardly to position its drive wheel operatively for a film rewinding operation.

5. A nlm magazine comprising a casing, a film supply spool in said casing having an axially movable spindle provided at an exposed end with a drive wheel, a nlm takeup spool in said casing also having an axially movable spindle provided at an exposed end with a drive wheel, and means on said casing for alternately moving the` takeup and supply spool spindles axially outwardly to position the drive wheels thereof operatively for a nlm winding operation and for a nlm rewinding operation respectively.

6. ,'I'he film magazine of claim 5 in which the said means comprises a reciprocable cam plate for alternately engaging and moving the said spindles.

'1. The nlm magazine of claim 5 in which the said-means comprises a reciprocable cam plate movable on the magazine between a position where it engages and moves the takeup spool spindle and a position where it engages and moves the supply spool spindle.

8. The nlm magazine of claim 5 in which the spindles extend outwardly on opposite sides of the casing and are cam shaped at their ends opposite the drive wheel ends, and in which the said means comprises a. reciprocable cam plate mov-y able on the magazine between a position where it engages the cam end of the takeup spool spindle and a position where it engages the cam end of the supply spool spindle for alternately moving said spindles.

9. The nlm magazine of claim 5 in which the said means comprises a reciprocable cam plate movable on the magazine into three positions, one for engaging and moving the takeup spool spindle, another for engaging and moving 'the supply spool spindle and a third for disengaging both spool spindles.

l0. The nlm magazine of claim 5 in which the said means is movable on the magazine into three positions, one for moving the takeup spool spindle outwardly, another for moving the supply spool spindle outwardly and a third neutral position where neither spindle ismoved outwardly.

11. A nlm magazine comprising a casing, a film v supply spool in said casinghaving an axially movable spindle provided at an exposed end with a drive wheel, a film takeup spool in said casing also having an axially movable spindle provided 12. The nlm magazine of claim 11,in which vthe l said means is movable into three positions, one

for moving the takenp spool spindle, another for moving the supply spool spindle and a third neutral position for moving neither spindle, the film guide device being movable to the illm feeding position only in the nrst mentioned position assumed by said means.

13. In the film magazine of claim 11. a spring active on said means for urging the same to its film winding and film feeding position.

14. 'I'he film magazine of claim 11,1n which the 10 magazine casing is provided with an opening along said guide device for admitting a nlm driving element.

15. The film magazine of claim 11. in which the magazine casing is provided with a licht admit- 16 said rod.

FREEMAN H. OWENS. 

